I really didn't want to write any more about LOLcats, but my friend August has penned an impassioned defense on their behalf, and in so doing, has set up a couple of straw cats I wish to rebut:

1. I do not think the LOLcats are a threat to the livelihood of cartoonists. I was mostly lamenting the fact that the humor sections of mainstream bookstores are filled with books that pander to certain "safe" demographics -- cat lovers, dog lovers, parents, etc. Ruben Bolling's All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned From My Golf-Playing Cats parodies this phenomenon.

2. I never dissed the Roomba cat. The Roomba cat is very funny, as is the stalker cat. (The keyboard cat, I would say not so much.) I like me a funny animal video as much as anyone. Really, I'm OK with internet memes as long as they are truly amusing. Although I do think that a culture that only privileges the viral -- the simple, easy-to-understand entertainment nugget -- is cause for concern. (See: cable news)

3. My dog is using my leg as a pillow right now in a manner that is distractingly cute. So you see, I do have a soul.

4. I think the thing that annoys me most about the LOLcats is the babytalk. I can understand how people think it's funny, but my primary response is revulsion. Also, August is right to state their ubiquity -- and lack of critics -- irritates me. Can I get a witness?

5. Meowcenaries is awesome. Peace offering accepted!

[UPDATE: Seems I have a witness in Mr. Bors. Although he's being a tad uncharitable.]